Andrew McDonald lauds Axar for stepping up in absence of Jadeja

Axar finished the series as the highest wicket taker. (PC- Twitter)

Australia men's team head coach Andrew McDonald heaped praise on Axar Patel by saying that he filled the boots of Ravindra Jadeja in the recently concluded series between India and Australia.

Jadeja sustained a knee injury which also ruled him out of the Asia Cup mid-tournament, he underwent surgery and is expected to miss competitive cricket for a long period. The 28-year-old cricketer was inducted into the playing eleven following the injury to Jadeja and the Gujarat-based bowler showcased his ability and repaid the trust shown by the captain and the management.

Axar's recent exploits earned him the player of the series award in the three-match T20I series against Australia. The left-arm spinner claimed eight wickets at an economy of 6.3 to help India attain a 2-1 series win over the defending World T20 champions. His best figures of 3/17 came in a losing cause when India lost to Australia in the opening T20I of the series at PCA Stadium in Mohali.

Axar was the difference between the two sides in the gone-by series. He overshadowed India's first-choice spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and other bowlers to end the series with the most number of wickets.

Axar was the standout performer: McDonald

Addressing a post-match conference, Australian head coach Andrew McDonald showered praise on 'outstanding' Axar, who stepped up in the absence of Jadeja.

"Axar (Patel), in particular, had an outstanding series. With Jaddu (Jadeja) out everyone thought that it might become a bit of a weakness for India, but they've found another one again, which tends to happen,” Andrew McDonald said at the post-match press conference after India clinched the series.

Axar has emerged as a serious candidate to partner Chahal in the upcoming T20 World Cup due to his ability to bowl and pick crucial wickets in the powerplay and the middle-overs of the game. This year in particular has been fruitful for the tall left-arm spinner. He has taken 16 out of his 29 wickets in 2022 and boasts a career economy rate of just 7.12.

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